Drones & Airline Travel

1. Put batteries in carry-on baggage only.2. Batteries must be protected from short circuitWhether you can carry Lithium Ion batteries depends on their Watt-hour rating.The Watt-hour rating of a battery can be calculated as Voltage multiplied by Amp Hour.3. Do not travel with damaged, bulging (puffed) or old batteries. you should insulate the battery terminals by covering with tape.Forexample the Wh of a DJI Phantom battery is 81.3 Wh (15.2V x 5.35Ah).

Watt-hour ratings

Watt-hour (Wh)

Checked Baggage

Carry-on Baggage

< 100

Forbidden (for the 4 airlines below)

Unlimited

100-160

Forbidden (for the 4 airlines below)

Up to 2 Batteries

> 160

Forbidden (for the 4 airlines below)

Forbidden

Airlines

Airline

< 100 Wh

100 - 160 Wh

> 160 Wh

QANTAS

Limited to personal use amounts

Up to 2 Batteries

Forbidden

VIRGIN

Limited to personal use amounts

Up to 2 Batteries

Forbidden

JETSTAR

Unlimited

Up to 2 Batteries

Forbidden

TIGER

Limited to personal use amounts

Up to 2 Batteries

Forbidden

Machines

Drone

Battery Wh

Number Permitted As Carry On

DJI Mavic

43.7 Wh (11.1V x 3.83Ah)

Unlimited

DJI Phantom 4

81.3 Wh (15.2V x 5.35Ah)

Unlimited

DJI Inspire 1

99.9 Wh (22.2V x 4.5Ah)

Unlimited

Helpful tips1. Put your batteries into storage charge mode (3.7-3.8V per cell)2. Use a Lipo Safe Pouch. Some pouches have the IATA regulations printed on them.3. Label each battery with its Watt-hour4. Carry a physical copy of the airline’s own dangerous goods documentation.5. This is a guide only, you must refer to your airline's website for their up to date rules about carrying Lithium Ion batteries before arranging any flight.